Life is full, overflowing even. Kids, work, training, house stuff, partying… it’s all good, but it’s all exhausting. Unfortunately it’s when you’re in an exhausted slump that bad habits break loose and wreak even more havoc on your body and mind.
When you’re tired, it’s all about the C words: caffeine, comfort food and the couch. Despite how desperately these C words are calling you, more often than not, it’s the exact opposite we need. Here are some pretty excellent suggestions that I find work well for battling through the madness:
- It’s over-preached and doesn’t sound appealing when you’re tired, but exercise seriously works. Try some power yoga or BODYBALANCE™, a brisk walk or a casual game of tennis if that’s how you roll. Just enough activity to get some endorphins pumping through. It’s seriously the natural high you’re looking for. Just get up and do it.
- Once you’ve completed your workout, take a shower and switch things up. Try alternating hits of cold water with very, very warm water. The gentle shocks to your skin and nerves should get your circulation flowing, literally cheating your body into thinking you’re more awake and ready to go than you actually are.
- Being tired doesn’t justify the comfort foods. It also isn’t what your body really wants. When you’re tired and making food choices think about what you’re about to consume. Choose life, or in clearer terms, choose kale. Or blueberries. Or salmon and sweet potato and a big salad and a side of soup. Superfoods with heaps of protein and good fats, washed down with something that’ll pick you up, like green tea, soup or fresh veggie juice. Your body is tired because it’s lacking nutrients, so don’t give it sugary, fatty comfort foods.
- Add in some extra good stuff! Most of us could do with supplementing with zinc, b vitamins, iron, omegas, magnesium… the list goes on. Talk to your doctor or naturopath about what’s going to work for you.
- Here’s the best one. Stop thinking “I’m so tired” and replace it with “I’m okay, everything’s okay”. That’s the big secret. Your mind-set is the biggest part of what’s holding you back from fixing yourself. If you think you’re in a rut, you’re in a rut. If you think positive, you’ll feel positive. I know, genius!
Come on down to Cooloola Fitness Centre for some positive energy. If you’re lacking motivation or have been slack with reaching your fitness goals, Cooloola Fitness Centre is the place to be. We’re here to help you!
